Bayelsa Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja today nullified the election of the state Governor Duoye Diri.
The Justice Mohammed Sirajo-led three-man panel ruled that the election was unlawful due to the exclusion of Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party and its candidate, King George, from the November 16, 2019 governorship election.
The tribunal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct a bye-election within ninety days. News Agency of Nigeria reports that on August 15, the tribunal upheld the election of Governor Diri and his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, said he will appeal today’s ruling of the governorship election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja, which nullified his election.
Diri said he has, consequently, instructed his lawyers to file the necessary papers.
He spoke shortly after the tribunal’s ruling.
Diri, in a statement by his acting Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said he has implicit confidence in the judiciary that he would triumph in the end.
The governor urged members of the People’s Democratic Party and his supporters not to panic and to continue to remain calm and law-abiding.
